What Are the Signs of Bone Cancer in the Leg?
Commonly, patients with bone cancer in the leg feel pain, according to the American Cancer Society. At first, the pain may be intermittent, but as the cancer progresses, the pain becomes constant. Pain is common at night and during physical activity.
Bone cancer may also cause swelling, fractures and weakness around the bone where the cancer is located. Swelling may not occur until weeks after the pain begins, explains the American Cancer Society. A lump or mass may even form on the leg.
Bone cancer, especially in the leg may cause a limp over time as the pain increases and the body compensates. As bone cancer grows, it weakens the bone, which may cause a slight fracture, although this is a less common symptom. If the bone does fracture, the pain is severe, and most patients admit the region was sore for months prior to the break, notes the American Cancer Society.
Another symptom of bone cancer is referred pain, states Cancer Research UK. Referred pain occurs in another location of the body away from the cancer site. A fever, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue are other common symptoms that can present themselves during any stage of the disease.
